Importing OpenSSH Keys?

["Charles Bradshaw" <brad bradcan homelinux com>]

I am trying to import OpenSSH keys into the Gnome keyring then use them to
do my SSH connections without being prompted again for the pass-phrase.

I can do this manualy, ie using 'ssh-add'. Also I can use 'seahorse' generated
keys to load to the ssh agent automatically and then have them appear using
'ssh-add -list'. Indeed, my ssh logins work without prompting for the
pass-phrase using seahorse keys.

But, I would like to load pre-existing keys and have seahorse load them to ssh
agent.

The only way I can get seahorse to see my other keys is to place them into
~/.ssh nanualy. Any attempt to import them results in the error:

"<big><b>Couldn't import keys</b></big>

file:///home/brad/.ssh/bak/identity: Invalid file format"

It dosen't  if I choose the private or public files the result is the same. Is
there some way to bundle the 2 to persuade seahorse to import them?

I don't understand the "Configure the key for Secure Shell..." operation this
asks for "Computer Name" and "Login Name:" followed by "Enter passphrase for
key keyfilename" then silently exits (no errors). After this operation for a
seahorse generated key 'ssh-add -list' shows the key, but not for my existing
keys! Why not?

I can still load keys using 'ssh-add', but now the seahorse generated one is
loaded twice! Also 'ssh-add -D' does not remove seahorse configured keys!

Have I missed something obvious?
Is it possible to 'import' existing keys into seahorse?

My platform is Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex and seahorse 2.24.1

Thanks in advance.